JonBenét Ramsey's dad issues warning to pageant moms

Sara McGinnis is a slightly mossy Northwest gal living in an otherwise all-male household. She contributes to both the BabyCenter Blog and SheKnows Entertainment, and is a fan of Twitter and Facebook friends.
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John Ramsey takes on Toddlers and Tiaras

John Ramsey, father of little JonBenét Ramsey who was murdered 15 years ago, has a few thoughts to share about children in beauty pageants. Listen up, Toddlers and Tiaras moms!

The case of JonBenét Ramsey's murder remains unsolved 15 years after the six-year-old beauty queen's body was found in the basement of the family home. John Ramsey, father of JonBenét, appeared on Good Morning America Tuesday to promote his new book, The Other Side of Suffering, and share his thoughts on child beauty pageants.

"It’s very bizarre," John Ramsey commented of reality television shows such as Toddlers and Tiaras, which focus on pageant moms and young children. "And it certainly… Patsy (JonBenét’s mom, who died of cancer in 2006) and JonBenét didn’t approach it that way. We… they just did it for fun."

By all accounts JonBenét Ramsey loved participating in beauty pageants, but nonetheless John now regrets allowing her to take part. "Only because that possibly might have drawn attention to us," he explained. "I don’t know. But I think [my] advice for parents is just to recognize that regardless of where you live, there could be evil around you. And don’t be naive about it. And keep your kids protected."

One particular incident stands out in John Ramsey's mind. Just days before the murder a strange man came too close to JonBenét. He recalled, "Patsy had her sitting atop a friend’s convertible in the Christmas parade waving at the people lining the streets. Patsy’s mother later told me that a strange man approached the car during the parade and it made her uncomfortable. I think about these things now and it makes me cringe. We were so naive. I now believe with all my heart that it’s not a good idea to put your child on public display."